BA 73-540 Kentucky Bluegrass

ABSTRACT

A variety of Kentucky bluegrass having a medium to high level of disease resistance strong sod forming ability, high quality dense persistent turf formation properties under a wide variety of environmental conditions and a medium level of seed yield potential.

BACKGROUND

Kentucky bluegrasses have been disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,156 which issued on May 9, 1972; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,186 which issued on May 23, 1972; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,336 which issued on Nov. 28, 1978; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,280 which issued on Sep. 6, 1988; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,537 which issued on Jan. 17, 1989; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,538 which issued on Jan. 17, 1989; 6,585 which issued on Feb. 7, 1989; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,831 which issued on Mar. 17, 1992 and U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 792,173, which was filed on Nov. 14, 1991, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and improved variety of Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis, that has been designated Ba 73-540.

Ba 73-540 plant material originated by crossing two Kentucky bluegrass plants maintained in the O. M. Scott & Sons Company plant nursery. The female parent plant for the present variety was a Kentucky bluegrass locally identified under the designation Bd 68-486 and the male parent plant was a Kentucky bluegrass locally identified under the designation Bd 64-36-1 in the plant nursery. Neither the Bd 68-486 plant nore the Bd 64-36-1 plant has been released as a commercial variety to date. As a result of this breeding, a distinct variety was produced and asexually propagated by rhizomes, tillers and disseminules. Seed of Ba 73-540 was produced first at Marysville, Ohio and later at Gervais, Oreg. This seed was used to plant turf performance evaluation trails and later seed production fields.

Asexual production of Ba 73-540 by propagules (tillers and rhizomes) and by disseminules (modified caryopses produced by apomixis) has consistently produced progeny plants indistinguishable from the mother plant. The apomixis level of Ba 73-540 is 100% based upon examining seedling characteristics of approximately 130 to 140 seedlings from four different crop years in a growth chamber.

Ba 73-540 has a number of highly desirable characteristics including a good level of resistance to Drechslera spp. (formerly called Helminthosporium spp.) that causes leaf spot, melting out and crown rot; Sclerotinia homoeocarpa that causes dollar spot; Puccinia spp. that causes several types of rust infections and Erysiphe graminis that causes powdery mildew. Ba 73-540 has an attractive leafy turf type growth habit; moderately wide leaf blades; an attractive green color which can be maintained throughout the entire growing season; good drought and heat tolerance and good turf performance as evidenced by consistently high scores for quality, color and density in National Turfgrass Evaluation Tests sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and conducted throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Ba 73-540 has a medium seed yield potential in the bluegrass seed production region of the U.S.A.

In comparison with a number of other Kentucky bluegrasses, Ba 73-540 has a small seed, high seed count, the shortest and narrowest panicle, a short, narrow and thin flag leaf, a short and narrow peduncle, the shortest culm and the shortest and narrowest leaf blade when Ba 73-540 and the other Kentucky bluegrasses are grown as single, spaced plants without competition to the flowering stage. Under close mowing as practiced under lawn maintenance conditions, Ba 73-540 has a leaf blade coarser than a number of other Kentucky bluegrasses which all were treated as uniformly as possible before and during data collection. Thus, in relation to other Kentucky bluegrasses, Ba 73-540 has narrower leaf blades as a mature plant under non-mowed and non-competitive conditions and has coarser leaf blades under mowed and highly competitive conditions. In addition, Ba 73-45 exhibits a high degree of resistance to powdery mildew and various rust diseases. Ba 73-540 is a medium seed yielder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 hows a Ba 73-540 Kentucky bluegrass plant in the vegetative stage including the extensive root and rhizome system;

FIG. 2 shows a Ba 73-540 Kentucky bluegrass panicle;

FIG. 3 shows Ba 73-540 Kentucky bluegrass seed; and

FIG. 4 shows a Ba 73-540 Kentucky bluegrass plant shortly after completing anthesis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Ba 73-540 Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is perennial with creeping rhizomes forming a dense turf. When plants overwinter in the field with freezing temperatures and are then brought into the greenhouse during late winter to continue growth undisturbed by clipping under moderate temperatures (60°-80° F.), culms are erect averaging 416 mm in length with an average of 2.3 nodes per culm. The uppermost internode averages 10.1 cm, and the peduncle averages 11.4 cm in length, and 0.565 mm in width. The flag leaf averages 4.1 cm in length, 2.8 mm in width and 0.012 mm in thickness. The panicle has an average length of 6.3 cm, width of 3.6 cm, and 4.6 whorls. The lowest whorl has an average of 3.5 branches and the third whorl from the bottom of the panicle has an average of 2.2 branches. The average spikelet at the tip of a branch in the lowest whorl is 5.3 mm in length and has 4.4 florets with an outer glume of 3.0 mm and an inner glume of 3.4 mm in length. A similar spikelet from the third whorl from the bottom of the panicle is 5.2 mm in length and has 4.4 florets with an outer glume of 3.1 mm and an inner glume of 3.4 mm in length. After the seed has been conditioned, the lemma has a generally smooth keel with occasional short hairs and a few long fine hairs at the base. The seed of Ba 73-540 is 2.80 mm in length and 0.78 mm in width with approximately 1,357,914 seeds per pound. Comparisons of Ba 73-540 with other varieties in terms of seed dimensions and on seed numbers per pound are shown in Tables 1 and 2 as follows:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Seed Measurements of Ba 73-540 and Other Bluegrass                             Varieties After Conditioning.                                                                   Length  Width                                                 Variety          (mm)    (mm)                                                  ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540        2.80    0.78                                                  Kelly            2.98    0.80                                                  Abbey            3.18    0.88                                                  Coventry         2.86    0.78                                                  Estate           2.53    0.76                                                  Chateau          2.77    0.80                                                  Baron            3.07    0.86                                                  Bristol          2.73    0.80                                                  Marquis          2.84    0.78                                                  Nassau           2.96    0.78                                                  Newport          2.76    0.71                                                  Park             3.04    0.72                                                  Ram I            3.51    0.84                                                  Victa            3.20    0.86                                                  LSD (.05)        0.19    0.06                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Seed Numbers Per Pound of Ba 73-540 and                          Other Bluegrass Varieties After Conditioning.                                              Number of Seeds                                                                Per Pound                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540     1,357,914                                                        Kelly           921,166                                                        Abbey         1,003,037                                                        Coventry      1,246,200                                                        Estate        1,275,740                                                        Chateau       1,300,105                                                        Adelphi       1,383,976                                                        America       1,659,824                                                        Gnome         1,017,641                                                        Baron         1,051,693                                                        Birka         1,223,530                                                        Bonnieblue    1,135,303                                                        Bristol       1,270,821                                                        Eclipse       1,335,668                                                        Fylking       1,130,000                                                        Glade         1,108,441                                                        Marquis       1,054,642                                                        Kenblue       1,463,923                                                        Merit         1,109,728                                                        Nassau        1,127,130                                                        Newport       1,226,481                                                        Park          1,248,349                                                        Sydsport      1,355,644                                                        Vantage       1,555,303                                                        Victa         1,038,298                                                        Windsor       1,520,885                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Since environmental conditions such as soil and climate may influence morphological characteristics to some extent, comparisons of morphological characteristics of Ba 73-450 are made with other Kentucky bluegrass varieties in Tables 3-10.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Panicles of Ba 73-540 and                          Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                                 Marysville, Ohio.                                                                                Number                                                                         of     Number of                                             Panicle     Panicle Panicle Whorls Branches                                            Nod-    Length  Width Per    Lower Third                               Variety ding*   (cm)    (cm)  Panicle                                                                               Whorl Whorl                               ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                              2.0     6.3     3.6   4.6    3.5   2.2                                 Kelly   1.3     9.7     6.0   5.5    4.5   3.4                                 Abbey   1.4     7.6     4.2   5.2    4.0   2.7                                 Baron   1.0     7.8     4.1   5.2    3.8   2.5                                 Bristol 2.0     9.7     5.0   5.0    3.3   2.7                                 Chateau 2.0     6.8     3.8   5.0    4.0   2.4                                 Coventry                                                                               2.0     6.7     3.7   4.8    3.8   2.7                                 Estate  1.2     7.5     4.2   5.5    4.0   3.0                                 Marquis 1.7     7.8     4.5   5.2    4.1   3.1                                 Nassau  2.0     10.0    6.0   5.0    3.0   2.0                                 Newport 2.0     10.3    4.4   4.5    2.3   2.3                                 Park    1.6     9.0     3.7   4.0    4.3   3.7                                 Ram I   2.0     9.0     4.7   4.0    2.5   2.0                                 Victa   1.2     7.5     4.1   5.4    4.4   3.4                                 LSD (.05)                                                                              0.5     1.6     1.0   0.8    0.7   0.8                                 ______________________________________                                          *Panicle nodding rated: 1 = erect, 2 = nodding                           

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Spikelets of Ba 73-540                             and Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                             Marysville, Ohio.                                                                       Spikelet        Number of Florets                                              Length (mm)     per Spikelet                                                     Lowest  Third     Lowest                                                                               Third                                       Variety    Whorl   Whorl     Whorl Whorl                                       ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540  5.3     5.2       4.4   4.4                                         Kelly      5.8     5.6       4.4   4.1                                         Abbey      5.1     5.0       3.9   3.8                                         Baron      5.0     5.0       3.7   3.8                                         Bristol    6.2     6.0       5.7   5.3                                         Chateau    5.1     5.0       4.2   3.9                                         Coventry   5.2     5.2       4.2   4.0                                         Estate     5.2     5.0       4.2   4.2                                         Marquis    5.4     5.2       4.1   3.9                                         Nassau     4.6     4.6       4.5   4.5                                         Newport    5.3     5.2       5.2   5.2                                         Park       6.5     6.7       5.2   4.7                                         Ram I      4.7     5.2       5.2   5.5                                         Victa      5.2     5.0       3.8   3.8                                         LSD (.05)  0.9     0.8       1.1   1.0                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Glumes of Ba 73-540 and                            Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                                 Marysville, Ohio.                                                                       Glume Length (mm)                                                              Outer           Inner                                                            Lowest  Third     Lowest                                                                               Third                                       Variety    Whorl   Whorl     Whorl Whorl                                       ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540  3.0     3.1       3.4   3.4                                         Kelly      3.2     3.3       3.7   3.6                                         Abbey      2.9     2.9       3.3   3.3                                         Baron      2.9     2.8       3.4   3.3                                         Bristol    3.4     3.3       3.7   3.9                                         Chateau    3.1     3.1       3.4   3.4                                         Coventry   3.2     3.1       3.5   3.5                                         Estate     2.9     3.0       3.3   3.3                                         Marquis    2.9     2.8       3.3   3.2                                         Nassau     2.3     2.4       2.7   2.7                                         Newport    2.6     2.5       2.9   2.9                                         Park       3.0     3.2       3.5   3.7                                         Ram I      2.6     2.4       2.9   2.7                                         Victa      2.8     3.0       3.3   3.3                                         LSD (.05)  0.5     0.4       0.4   0.4                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Flag Leaves of Ba 73-540                           and Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                             Marysville, Ohio.                                                                        Flag Leaf   Flag Leaf Flag Leaf                                                Length      Width     Thickness                                      Variety   (cm)        (mm)      (mm)                                           ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 4.1         2.8       0.102                                          Kelly     5.8         4.2       0.119                                          Abbey     4.3         3.3       0.107                                          Baron     4.5         3.2       0.119                                          Bristol   5.5         3.4       0.127                                          Chateau   4.1         3.2       0.111                                          Coventry  4.7         3.2       0.112                                          Estate    5.2         3.6       0.117                                          Marquis   4.7         3.6       0.112                                          Nassau    6.2         3.1       0.127                                          Newport   6.1         3.5       0.135                                          Park      4.2         2.6       0.110                                          Ram I     4.7         3.1       0.127                                          Victa     5.9         4.0       0.124                                          LSD (.05) 1.8         0.6       0.013                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Peduncles, Culms, and                              Internodes of Ba 73-540 and Other Bluegrass Varieties                          in the Greenhouse at Marysville, Ohio.                                                                         Number Top                                             Peduncle Peduncle Culm  of Nodes                                                                              Internode                                       Length   Width    Length                                                                               Per    Length                                  Variety (cm)     (mm)     (mm)  Culm   (cm)                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                              11.4     0.565    416   2.3    10.1                                    Kelly   12.3     0.772    514   2.3    12.4                                    Abbey   10.6     0.564    421   2.7     9.3                                    Baron   12.7     0.555    482   2.5    10.1                                    Bristol 15.0     0.677    522   2.7    11.3                                    Chateau 12.9     0.654    439   2.7     9.8                                    Coventry                                                                               13.2     0.607    435   2.7    10.2                                    Estate  12.6     0.552    486   2.2    10.5                                    Marquis 11.4     0.667    434   2.6     9.5                                    Nassau   8.0     0.546    450   2.5    11.2                                    Newport 18.0     0.567    547   2.3    11.2                                    Park    14.3     0.779    578   3.0    13.0                                    Ram I   18.5     0.622    527   3.0    10.2                                    Victa   12.2     0.716    474   2.4    10.6                                    LSD (.05)                                                                               3.7     0.018     79   0.6     2.1                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Leaves of Ba 73-540 and                            Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                                 Marysville, Ohio.                                                                                               Leaf                                                  Ligule   Leaf     Leaf   Angle                                                 Length   Length   Width  (Degrees                                      Variety (mm)     (mm)     (mm)   From Horizontal)                              ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                              0.22     186      3.8    50                                            Kelly   0.29     215      4.4    46                                            Abbey   0.23     218      3.9    56                                            Baron   0.30     313      4.4    63                                            Bristol 0.30     253      4.3    37                                            Chateau 0.25     204      4.1    50                                            Coventry                                                                               0.26     218      4.1    55                                            Estate  0.28     239      4.4    52                                            Marquis 0.31     215      4.2    57                                            Nassau  0.22     226      3.5    39                                            Newport 0.22     251      4.1    50                                            Park    0.33     329      4.2    44                                            Ram I   0.18     188      3.7    40                                            Victa   0.28     235      4.3    52                                            LSD (.05)                                                                              0.11      49      0.6    10                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparision of Leaf Hairs of Ba 73-540                           and Other Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at                             Marysville, Ohio.                                                                      Hairs Around                                                                   Ligule on                                                                      Upper Surface  Hairs on  Hairs on                                      Variety of the Leaf (a)                                                                               Collar (a)                                                                               Ligule (b)                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                              1.0            3.2       2.1                                           Kelly   1.2            4.2       3.6                                           Abbey   1.0            3.4       2.2                                           Baron   1.0            5.0       4.0                                           Bristol 1.3            4.7       4.3                                           Chateau 1.0            3.5       2.7                                           Coventry                                                                               1.0            3.5       1.5                                           Estate  1.0            3.2       1.3                                           Marquis 1.2            4.4       2.6                                           Nassau  2.7            5.0       1.0                                           Newport 1.0            4.0       0.8                                           Park    1.0            1.7       0.0                                           Ram I   1.0            3.7       0.3                                           Victa   1.0            3.3       2.2                                           LSD (.05)                                                                              0.3            1.4       1.8                                           ______________________________________                                          (a) Hairs around ligule and on collar rated 1-5: 1 = none, 5 = many            (b) Hairs on ligule rated 0-5: 0 = none, 5 = many                        

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparisons of Ba 73-540 and Other                               Bluegrass Varieties Grown as Unmowed Spaced Plants                             in the Field at Marysville, Ohio.                                              Mature                                                                         Plant Height (a)                                                                              Panicle Density (b)                                                                           Maturity (c)                                     ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                             54          7              8                                            Kelly  50          5              8                                            Abbey  49          5              7                                            Baron  44          5              9                                            Chateau                                                                               49          5              7                                            Coventry                                                                              48          5              7                                            Marquis                                                                               47          5              9                                            Estate 49          5              7                                            Nassau 46          6              9                                            Bristol                                                                               54          3              8                                            Merit  61          5              9                                            Glade  49          2              9                                            Ram I  49          3              7                                            Victa  54          6              8                                            ______________________________________                                          Ratings:                                                                       (a) Mature Plant Height (cm) includes panicle                                  (b) Panicle Density  1-10, 10 = high panicle density                           (c) Maturity  1-9, 9 = most mature                                       

No discernible differences were noted in flower parts and seed coloration other than those characteristics listed in the above tables.

Ba 73-540 has performed well in regions throughout the U.S.A. and Canada, as exhibited by high turf quality ratings in many different locations in comparison to other varieties. In addition, Ba 73-450 has a pleasant medium green color which can be maintained throughout the growing season and good winter color. Comparisons of Ba 73-540 with other varieties for quality, genetic color and winter color are set forth in Tables 11-13 hereinafter. According to comparisons with the Munsell Book of Colors during mid-June, the color of Ba 73450 leaf blades is in the range of 5 GY 4/4 to 5 GY 4/8 to 7/5 GY 4/4. During the same time period the color of similar leaf blades of several other Kentucky bluegrass varieties--Gnome, Midnight, Bristol and Victa--fall in the same range and as a result were indistinguishable based upon use of this color dictionary. Plant age, time of year, management practices of fertilization, irrigation and mowing also influence this color range. Additional comparisons for leaf texture, and spring, summer and fall density, are presented in Tables 14-17.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Turfgrass Quality of Ba 73-540 and                               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at various                                  Locations Over a Four Year Period in the U.S.A. and Canada.                            Turfgrass Quality - Annual Mean Values (a)                             Variety   Year 1   Year 2    Year 3  Year 4                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 5.8      5.9       6.0     5.8                                       Abbey     5.6      5.7       5.9     5.7                                       Able I    5.7      5.7       6.0     6.1                                       Amazon    5.4      5.5       5.5     5.5                                       America   5.8      5.9       6.1     6.2                                       Aquila    5.4      5.6       5.9     5.7                                       A-34      5.6      5.9       6.0     6.1                                       Aspen     5.6      5.7       6.0     6.2                                       Asset     6.0      5.9       6.2     6.2                                       Baron     5.8      5.6       5.9     5.8                                       Barzan    5.0      5.2       5.4     5.4                                       Bristol   5.7      6.0       6.1     6.0                                       Challenger                                                                               5.8      5.9       6.0     5.9                                       Chateau   6.0      5.8       6.0     6.0                                       Cheri     5.8      5.7       6.1     5.9                                       Classic   5.9      5.8       6.0     5.9                                       Coventry  5.8      5.8       5.9     5.8                                       Eclipse   5.6      5.9       6.2     6.3                                       Estate    5.9      5.9       5.9     5.8                                       Georgetown                                                                               5.8      5.6       5.8     5.8                                       Glade     5.7      5.8       6.1     6.1                                       Gnome     5.5      5.3       5.6     5.5                                       Haga      5.8      5.8       5.8     5.9                                       Julia     5.7      5.8       5.9     5.7                                       Kelly     5.6      5.7       5.9     5.8                                       Kenblue   5.0      4.7       5.0     5.2                                       Liberty   5.7      5.7       5.8     5.7                                       Marquis   5.3      5.6       5.7     5.7                                       Merion    5.4      5.4       5.7     5.6                                       Merit     5.6      5.6       5.9     5.8                                       Midnight  6.1      6.3       6.4     6.3                                       Monopoly  5.5      5.5       5.9     5.9                                       Mystic    5.4      5.4       5.8     6.0                                       Nassau    5.6      5.7       5.8     5.5                                       Parade    5.7      5.7       5.9     5.8                                       Ram I     5.7      5.6       5.9     5.8                                       Rugby     6.0      5.8       5.9     5.9                                       Sydsport  5.8      5.8       6.0     5.9                                       Victa     5.8      5.7       5.8     5.8                                       Wabash    5.7      5.4       5.8     5.9                                       Welcome   5.3      5.5       5.7     5.5                                       LSD 0.05  0.2      0.2       0.2     0.2                                       ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = ideal turf                                     

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Genetic Color of Ba 73-540 and Other                             Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Various Locations                              Over a Four Year Period in the U.S.A. and Canada.                                     Genetic Color - Annual Mean Values (a)                                  Variety  Year 1    Year 2    Year 2  Year 2                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540                                                                               6.5       6.2       6.3     6.5                                       Abbey    6.8       6.2       6.7     6.6                                       Able I   7.1       6.8       6.7     6.9                                       Amazon   6.2       6.9       7.0     6.5                                       America  6.8       6.6       7.0     6.6                                       Aquila   6.5       6.0       6.6     6.3                                       A-34     5.7       5.6       5.7     5.7                                       Aspen    7.1       6.4       6.7     6.5                                       Asset    6.7       6.3       6.3     6.4                                       Baron    6.8       6.5       6.9     6.8                                       Barzan   6.5       6.1       6.6     6.3                                       Bristol  7.3       7.1       6.6     6.6                                       Challenger                                                                              7.2       6.9       6.8     6.7                                       Chateau  6.5       6.0       6.2     6.5                                       Cheri    6.6       5.9       6.3     6.3                                       Classic  5.8       5.6       6.3     5.9                                       Coventry 6.5       6.0       6.5     6.6                                       Eclipse  7.7       6.7       6.5     6.6                                       Estate   6.7       5.9       6.3     6.6                                       Georgetown                                                                              6.1       5.7       5.9     5.7                                       Glade    7.4       7.0       6.7     6.9                                       Gnome    6.4       6.5       6.8     6.7                                       Haga     5.8       5.5       6.1     5.8                                       Julia    6.4       6.3       6.7     6.3                                       Kelly    6.7       6.5       6.9     6.5                                       Kenblue  5.2       5.2       5.5     6.0                                       Liberty  6.5       6.5       6.4     6.0                                       Marquis  7.2       6.6       6.8     6.5                                       Merion   6.4       5.6       6.0     6.5                                       Merit    6.7       6.4       6.5     6.1                                       Midnight 8.0       7.9       7.5     7.7                                       Monopoly 5.3       5.5       5 5     5.3                                       Mystic   5.9       5.6       6.3     6.0                                       Nassau   7.1       6.7       6.9     6.8                                       Parade   5.9       5.5       6.0     6.1                                       Ram I    6.9       6.6       6.9     6.6                                       Rugby    6.2       5.4       6.1     5.8                                       Sydsport 6.5       6.1       6.2     6.2                                       Victa    6.7       6.3       6.7     6.5                                       Wabash   6.0       5.1       5.7     5.3                                       Welcome  6.1       6.0       6.1     6.4                                       LSD (.05)                                                                               0.4       0.4       0.4     0.4                                       ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = dark green                                     

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Winter Color of Ba 73-540 and Other                              Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the U.S.A. and Canada.                                 Winter Color - Annual Mean Values (a)                                            Wichita      Agassiz                                                           Kansas       British Columbia                                        Variety   Test Location                                                                               Test Location                                           ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 5.0          5.0                                                     Abbey     3.0          4.7                                                     Able I    5.7          4.0                                                     Amazon    4.0          8.7                                                     America   4.7          4.0                                                     Aquila    3.0          4.0                                                     A-34      4.7          4.3                                                     Aspen     4.7          4.0                                                     Asset     3.7          4.3                                                     Baron     3.3          4.7                                                     Barzon    4.7          5.0                                                     Bristol   5.7          5.0                                                     Challenger                                                                               5.0          4.0                                                     Chateau   5.0          5.0                                                     Cheri     4.3          5.0                                                     Classic   5.0          4.0                                                     Coventry  5.0          5.0                                                     Eclipse   4.0          4.3                                                     Estate    4.3          5.0                                                     Georgetown                                                                               5.3          4.0                                                     Glade     3.3          4.3                                                     Gnome     2.7          4.3                                                     Haga      5.0          4.0                                                     Julia     5.0          5.0                                                     Kenblue   3.0          3.0                                                     Liberty   5.0          --                                                      Merion    3.0          4.0                                                     Merit     3.3          5.0                                                     Midnight  4.3          4.7                                                     Monopoly  3.7          4.7                                                     Mystic    4.0          2.0                                                     Nassau    5.7          5.0                                                     Parade    5.3          4.0                                                     Ram I     5.0          4.7                                                     Rugby     4.7          4.3                                                     Sydsport  4.3          5.0                                                     Victa     3.7          5.0                                                     Wabash    4.7          3.3                                                     Welcome   4.3          5.0                                                     LSD (.05) 1.0          0.6                                                     ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale: 1-9: 9 = complete color retention.                     

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Leaf Texture of Ba 73-540 and Other                              Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Various Locations                              Over A Four Year Period in the U.S.A. and Canada.                                      Leaf Texture - Annual Mean Values (a)                                  Variety   Year 1   Year 2    Year 3 Year 4                                     ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 5.8      5.6       5.3    4.8                                        A-34      6.4      6.9       5.7    5.2                                        Abbey     6.3      6.3       5.7    5.2                                        Able I    7.1      7.3       6.0    6.0                                        Amazon    7.5      7.2       6.3    5.8                                        America   7.1      7.2       6.0    6.7                                        Aquila    6.9      6.9       6.0    6.3                                        Aspen     6.6      6.9       5.7    5.8                                        Asset     6.8      6.7       6.0    6.2                                        Baron     6.8      6.1       6.0    5.8                                        Barzan    6.1      6.7       6.0    5.7                                        Bristol   6.7      6.3       5.0    5.5                                        Challenger                                                                               6.8      6.7       5.7    5.2                                        Chateau   6.1      6.0       5.7    4.8                                        Cheri     6.2      6.1       5.7    4.7                                        Classic   6.6      7.0       6.0    6.0                                        Coventry  5.9      5.7       5.3    4.7                                        Eclipse   6.4      6.5       6.0    6.3                                        Estate    6.3      5.9       5.7    4.8                                        Georgetown                                                                               6.8      6.8       5.3    6.0                                        Glade     6.8      6.7       6.0    5.7                                        Gnome     6.1      6.2       5.3    5.2                                        Haga      6.7      7.1       6.0    6.2                                        Julia     6.7      6.3       6.0    5.8                                        Kelly     6.4      5.7       5.3    5.0                                        Kenblue   7.8      7.3       6.7    7.7                                        Liberty   6.8      6.6       --     5.2                                        Marquis   6.1      5.7       5.3    5.3                                        Merion    6.7      6.8       6.0    5.7                                        Merit     6.3      6.1       6.0    5.2                                        Midnight  7.3      6.7       6.0    4.8                                        Monopoly  7.1      6.8       6.0    6.3                                        Mystic    7.4      7.5       7.3    7.8                                        Nassau    6.6      6.5       5.0    5.3                                        Parade    7.1      7.0       6.0    6.3                                        Ram I     7.3      7.1       6.3    4.8                                        Rugby     6.8      6.7       6.0    6.2                                        Sydsport  5.9      5.8       6.0    5.0                                        Victa     6.3      6.0       5.7    5.3                                        Wabash    7.1      7.2       6.3    7.7                                        Welcome   7.5      7.1       6.0    7.2                                        LSD 0.05  0.5      0.5       0.6    0.7                                        ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = very fine                                      

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Spring Density of Ba 73-540 and Other                            Kentucky Bluegras Varieties at Various Locations in                            the U.S.A. and Canada Over a Three Year Period.                                          Spring Density - Annual Mean Values (a)                              Variety     Year 1       Year 2  Year 3                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540   6.3          6.5     7.6                                           Abbey       6.3          5.8     6.8                                           Able I      5.4          5.8     7.4                                           Amazon      6.7          6.7     6.7                                           America     7.0          6.2     7.1                                           Aquilla     5.9          6.5     6.6                                           A-34        6.6          5.7     7.3                                           Aspen       5.7          5.5     7.4                                           Asset       6.0          7.5     7.7                                           Baron       6.1          6.3     6.8                                           Barzan      5.3          6.0     6.5                                           Bristol     5.6          5.3     6.9                                           Challenger  6.4          6.0     6.9                                           Chateau     6.6          6.7     7.3                                           Cheri       6.3          7.2     7.4                                           Classic     6.9          5.5     7.2                                           Coventry    6.7          6.5     7.1                                           Eclipse     6.2          5.5     7.1                                           Estate      6.1          6.3     7.2                                           Georgetown  5.9          5.5     6.9                                           Glade       5.9          6.8     7.3                                           Gnome       5.8          6.0     6.3                                           Haga        6.6          5.5     7.3                                           Julia       6.0          6.5     7.4                                           Kelly       6.1          6.3     6.7                                           Kenblue     5.9          6.2     6.0                                           Liberty     5.9          5.5     6.8                                           Marquis     5.7          6.0     6.6                                           Merion      6.3          6.3     7.3                                           Merit       6.0          5.8     6.7                                           Midnight    6.1          6.7     7.4                                           Monopoly    6.0          6.2     7.0                                           Mystic      6.3          6.7     6.9                                           Nassau      5.7          6.2     6.6                                           Parade      6.2          6.0     6.9                                           Ram I       6.6          7.0     6.4                                           Rugby       5.8          5.3     7.0                                           Sydsport    6.3          6.3     7.2                                           Victa       5.8          5.8     6.8                                           Wabash      6.8          6.7     7.0                                           Welcome     6.2          6.0     6.6                                           LSD (.05)   0.8          0.8     0.7                                           ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = maximum density                                

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                          Comparison of Summer Density of Ba 73-540 and Other                           Kentucky Bluegrass at Various Locations in Canada                              and U.S.A. Over a Two Year Period                                                        Summer Density - Annual Mean Values (a)                              Variety     Year 1        Year 2                                               ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540   6.7           8.2                                                  Abbey       7.1           8.0                                                  Able I      6.8           7.8                                                  Amazon      6.8           8.2                                                  America     6.8           7.7                                                  Aquilla     6.7           8.0                                                  A-34        6.8           7.8                                                  Aspen       6.2           7.5                                                  Asset       7.3           8.2                                                  Baron       6.3           7.7                                                  Barzan      5.3           7.3                                                  Bristol     6.4           7.8                                                  Challenger  6.2           7.5                                                  Chateau     7.3           8.3                                                  Cheri       7.0           8.0                                                  Classic     6.3           8.0                                                  Coventry    6.8           8.2                                                  Eclipse     6.3           7.7                                                  Estate      6.6           8.2                                                  Georgetown  5.9           7.3                                                  Glade       6.2           8.2                                                  Gnome       6.3           7.3                                                  Haga        6.3           7.7                                                  Julia       6.1           8.3                                                  Kelly       6.4           7.7                                                  Kenblue     6.1           7.2                                                  Liberty     5.5           7.5                                                  Marquis     6.3           7.0                                                  Merion      6.4           7.8                                                  Merit       6.3           7.8                                                  Midnight    6.5           7.8                                                  Monopoly    5.8           7.7                                                  Mystic      7.3           8.0                                                  Nassau      6.1           7.0                                                  Parade      6.5           7.7                                                  Ram I       6.7           7.8                                                  Rugby       5.6           7.5                                                  Sydsport    6.8           8.0                                                  Victa       6.2           8.0                                                  Wabash      7.1           8.7                                                  Welcome     6.7           7.7                                                  LSD (.05)   0.8           0.7                                                  ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = maximum density                                

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Fall Density of Ba 73-540 and Other                              Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Various Locations in                           the U.S.A. and Canada Over a Three Year Period                                           Fall Density - Annual Mean Values (a)                                Variety     Year 1       Year 2  Year 3                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540   7.7          8.7     7.8                                           Abbey       7.3          7.0     7.2                                           Able I      6.7          8.2     7.4                                           Amazon      7.0          9.0     7.8                                           America     7.0          8.7     7.5                                           Aquilla     6.7          7.5     7.8                                           A-34        7.0          8.2     7.9                                           Aspen       6.7          7.2     7.7                                           Asset       6.0          8.7     7.5                                           Baron       7.3          8.0     7.0                                           Barzan      6.0          7.8     7.3                                           Bristol     6.7          7.8     7.5                                           Challenger  6.7          8.3     7.9                                           Chateau     7.7          8.2     7.5                                           Cheri       7.3          8.5     7.5                                           Classic     7.3          8.2     7.5                                           Coventry    7.3          9.0     7.3                                           Eclipse     7.3          8.0     7.5                                           Estate      6.3          8.0     7.4                                           Georgetown  7.3          7.3     7.1                                           Glade       6.0          7.8     7.6                                           Gnome       7.0          7.7     7.1                                           Haga        7.0          8.3     7.5                                           Julia       7.0          8.0     7.4                                           Kelly       7.3          7.2     7.0                                           Kenblue     7.7          8.3     7.5                                           Liberty     6.7          8.0     7.0                                           Marquis     6.0          6.2     6.8                                           Merion      6.3          7.3     7.3                                           Merit       7.0          7.2     7.0                                           Midnight    7.0          8.3     8.1                                           Monopoly    6.7          7.5     7.1                                           Mystic      7.3          8.8     7.8                                           Nassau      6.3          6.5     7.3                                           Parade      7.0          8.7     7.5                                           Ram I       8.0          9.0     7.6                                           Rugby       6.3          7.8     7.3                                           Sydsport    7.0          8.7     7.5                                           Victa       7.3          7.8     7.1                                           Wabash      7.7          9.0     8.1                                           Welcome     7.7          9.0     7.7                                           LSD (.05)   1.4          0.5     0.6                                           ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = maximum density                                

Turf diseases are one of the major causes of inconsistent and poor turf performance. Ba 73-540 has been found to have a high level of resistance to a serious bluegrass disease known as leaf spot (also known as melting out) caused by Drechslera poae (formerly called Helminthosporium vagans); a medium to high level of resistance to several rust diseases caused by Puccinia spp.; and a medium to high level of resistance to dollarspot caused by Sclerotina homoeocarpa, to snow mold caused by Typhula incarnata and to powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe graminis. Comparisons of disease incidence of Ba 73-540 as compared with other varieties in regard to leaf spot, rusts, dollarspot, snow mold and powdery mildew are presented in Tables 18-23. Additional comparisons are presented in Tables 24-27 for browning due to heat and drought stress, sod strength and seed yields.

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Leaf Spot Disease Incidence of                                   Ba 73-540 and other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at                            Various Locations in the U.S.A. and Canada Over a                              Four Year Period                                                                         Leaf Spot - Annual Mean Values (a)                                   Variety     Year 1   Year 2    Year 3                                                                               Year 4                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540   5.9      5.7       6.7   6.0                                       Abbey       4.6      5.8       6.0   5.3                                       Able I      6.8      5.7       6.0   8.0                                       Amazon      5.2      5.8       6.3   7.0                                       America     5.7      6.5       6.0   6.3                                       Aquilla     6.3      4.3       6.0   3.7                                       A-34        6.3      5.7       5.8   6.3                                       Aspen       6.6      6.3       6.0   6.3                                       Asset       6.7      5.7       6.3   6.0                                       Baron       6.0      6.5       6.0   5.3                                       Barzan      6.4      5.3       6.3   1.3                                       Bristol     7.9      6.5       5.7   5.3                                       Challenger  7.2      6.7       6.3   5.0                                       Chateau     6.4      6.2       6.3   6.3                                       Cheri       5.7      5.7       6.7   4.7                                       Classic     6.2      6.0       6.3   4.3                                       Coventry    5.0      6.2       5.7   6.0                                       Eclipse     7.4      7.0       6.7   7.7                                       Estate      6.8      5.8       6.3   6.7                                       Georgetown  6.7      6.5       5.7   4.3                                       Glade       7.4      5.8       6.3   7.0                                       Gnome       6.0      6.3       6.0   4.3                                       Haga        6.7      6.0       6.0   4.7                                       Julia       6.0      6.0       6.7   4.7                                       Kelly       5.1      6.2       6.0   5.0                                       Kenblue     4.8      2.0       5.3   1.0                                       Liberty     6.9      6.3       --    5.3                                       Marquis     6.4      6.2       6.3   4.7                                       Merion      6.2      6.3       6.7   3.7                                       Merit       5.6      6.5       5.7   5.0                                       Midnight    7.2      6.2       6.3   6.3                                       Monopoly    5.6      5.7       6.7   3.3                                       Mystic      5.6      5.0       5.7   5.7                                       Nassau      6.6      6.2       6.3   5.3                                       Parade      5.3      5.3       6.0   5.0                                       Ram I       4.9      5.0       6.3   2.3                                       Rugby       6.4      5.8       6.3   4.3                                       Sydsport    6.7      6.5       6.3   6.3                                       Victa       6.0      6.2       6.7   4.7                                       Wabash      4.2      2.3       5.3   2.0                                       Welcome     5.2      4.8       6.0   3.7                                       LSD (.05)   1.0      0.9       0.9   1.6                                       ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = no disease                                     

                  TABLE 19                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Melting Out Disease Incidence of Ba 73-540                       and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Various                              Locations in the U.S.A. and Canada Over a Two Year Period                              Melting Out - Mean Values (a)                                                             Year 2                                                              Year 1                 Fall                                            Variety   Spring (b)                                                                               Fall (c) Spring (d)                                                                             Mean (e)                                  ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 5.2       8.7      7.3     6.3                                       Abbey     3.7       8.0      6.3     6.7                                       Able I    4.5       9.0      6.5     6.3                                       Amazon    4.2       7.0      7.2     6.3                                       America   5.2       8.7      6.8     7.0                                       Aquila    3.8       7.3      6.8     5.7                                       A-34      4.8       8.7      6.5     6.3                                       Aspen     5.0       8.7      6.2     6.0                                       Asset     4.7       9.0      6.8     7.0                                       Baron     4.3       8.3      6.5     6.3                                       Barzan    4.0       3.3      6.2     6.7                                       Bristol   5.7       9.0      6.5     6.3                                       Challenger                                                                               4.8       9.0      6.5     6.0                                       Chateau   5.5       9.0      5.7     6.7                                       Cheri     4.7       8.7      6.7     6.7                                       Classic   6.2       8.7      6.3     6.7                                       Coventry  4.3       9.0      6.2     6.7                                       Eclipse   5.0       7.0      7.2     7.0                                       Estate    5.3       9.0      6.5     6.7                                       Georgetown                                                                               5.8       9.0      6.0     6.0                                       Glade     4.5       8.0      7.3     6.7                                       Gnome     4.5       8.7      6.7     6.3                                       Haga      6.2       9.0      6.0     6.3                                       Julia     6.0       9.0      6.8     6.3                                       Kelly     3.8       8.3      6.5     6.3                                       Kenblue   3.7       1.0      4.3     5.3                                       Liberty   5.5       8.7      7.7     --                                        Marquis   4.8       7.7      6.7     6.0                                       Merion    5.0       9.0      7.0     7.0                                       Merit     4.2       8.3      6.3     6.3                                       Midnight  4.0       9.0      7.2     6.0                                       Monopoly  4.5       8.0      6.5     6.7                                       Mystic    5.0       1.0      6.3     4.7                                       Nassau    5.0       9.0      6.5     7.0                                       Parade    5.7       9.0      6.2     6.0                                       Ram I     4.5       5.3      6.3     7.0                                       Rugby     5.7       9.0      6.3     6.7                                       Sydsport  5.5       9.0      6.5     6.7                                       Victa     5.2       8.0      7.2     6.7                                       Wabash    4.7       6.3      4.7     4.7                                       Welcome   3.8       1.3      6.5     7.0                                       LSD (.05) 0.7       1.6      1.1     1.0                                       ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = no disease                                           (b) Test Locations: Blacksburg and Blackstone, Virginia                        (c) Test Location: Puyallup, Washington                                        (d) Test Locations: Agassiz, British Columbia; Post Falls, Idaho               (e) Test Location: Agassiz, British Columbia                             

                  TABLE 19                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Dollar Spot and Powdery Mildew Disease                           Incidence of Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass                            Varieties in the U.S.A.                                                                     Columbia   Adelphia                                                            Missouri   New Jersey                                             Variety      Dollar Spot                                                                               Powdery Mildew                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540    8.0        5.7                                                    Abbey        7.3        1.0                                                    Able I       7.7        6.7                                                    Amazon       6.7        5.0                                                    America      7.3        7.7                                                    Aquila       7.3        8.3                                                    A-34         7.3        6.7                                                    Aspen        6.7        4.7                                                    Asset        7.0        2.0                                                    Baron        7.0        1.3                                                    Barzan       6.3        8.3                                                    Bristol      7.7        7.0                                                    Challenger   7.3        3.3                                                    Chateau      6.7        5.3                                                    Cheri        8.0        3.3                                                    Classic      6.3        2.7                                                    Coventry     7.7        6.0                                                    Eclipse      7.7        5.0                                                    Estate       7.3        7.0                                                    Georgetown   7.3        2.7                                                    Glade        7.3        3.3                                                    Gnome        8.0        1.0                                                    Haga         7.3        3.0                                                    Julia        7.7        2.0                                                    Kelly        7.0        1.7                                                    Kenblue      7.3        5.0                                                    Liberty      7.0        4.0                                                    Marquis      7.7        1.0                                                    Merion       7.3        1.0                                                    Merit        6.7        1.7                                                    Midnight     6.7        1.7                                                    Monopoly     7.0        6.7                                                    Mystic       8.0        8.0                                                    Nassau       6.7        2.3                                                    Parade       7.7        2.0                                                    Ram I        6.0        6.7                                                    Rugby        6.7        2.7                                                    Sydsport     7.3        6.7                                                    Victa        7.7        1.7                                                    Wabash       7.3        6.7                                                    Welcome      7.7        6.3                                                    LSD (.05)    1.4        1.4                                                    ______________________________________                                          (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = no disease                                     

                  TABLE 21                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Powdery Mildew Disease Incidence of                              Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at                            Marysville, OH.                                                                               % Mildew (a)                                                    Variety          Test 1  Test 2                                                ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540        19.2    18.3                                                  Adelphi          29.2    24.2                                                  America          0.0                                                           Banff            5.0                                                           Bristol          5.8     16.7                                                  Classic          54.2                                                          Eclipse          1.7                                                           Georgetown       12.5                                                          Glade            40.0    27.5                                                  Merion           37.5    48.3                                                  Merit            66.7                                                          Monopoly                 7.5                                                   Nassau           24.2    24.2                                                  Newport          20.0                                                          Park             0.8     28.3                                                  Ram I            12.5    30.8                                                  Sydsport         7.5                                                           Vantage          12.5    15.8                                                  Victa            56.7    45.8                                                  Wabash                   10.0                                                  ______________________________________                                          (a) Mean for three ratings taken during summer months.                   

                  TABLE 22                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Four Rust Disease Incidence of                                   Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at                            in the U.S.A. and Canada.                                                      ______________________________________                                                    Stem         Stripe                                                            Rust (a)     Rust (a)                                                                       Post    Agassiz,                                                  Adelphia,    Falls   British                                        Variety    NJ           Idaho   Columbia                                       ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540  8.0          8.0     8.0                                            Abbey      6.3          8.3     6.3                                            Able I     7.0          8.0     7.3                                            Amazon     6.0          7.3     7.0                                            America    8.3          7.7     8.0                                            Aquila     8.0          7.0     6.7                                            Aspen      8.0          7.0     6.7                                            Asset      8.0          8.7     7.3                                            A-34       8.0          8.0     7.0                                            Baron      7.3          8.0     7.0                                            Barzan     8.0          8.0     7.0                                            Bristol    8.7          8.0     8.0                                            Challenger 7.7          8.0     6.7                                            Chateau    8.3          7.3     7.3                                            Cheri      7.7          8.7     6.7                                            Classic    8.7          8.3     8.0                                            Coventry   8.3          8.0     8.0                                            Eclipse    7.7          8.3     6.3                                            Estate     7.3          7.7     8.0                                            Georgetown 9.0          7.7     7.0                                            Glade      7.7          8.0     6.0                                            Gnome      7.7          8.7     7.0                                            Haga       9.0          7.3     7.3                                            Julia      8.0          7.3     7.0                                            Kelly      7.3          8.7     5.7                                            Kenblue    8.3          7.7     7.7                                            Liberty    8.3          8.0     --                                             Marquis    6.3          7.7     7.3                                            Merion     2.7          4.0     5.3                                            Merit      8.0          8.0     6.7                                            Midnight   8.3          7.3     5.7                                            Monopoly   8.0          7.3     7.3                                            Mystic     5.3          6.0     5.3                                            Nassau     7.7          8.0     7.3                                            Parade     9.0          7.0     7.7                                            Ram I      8.7          6.7     7.0                                            Rugby      8.7          7.3     7.7                                            Sydsport   8.0          7.7     8.0                                            Victa      7.7          5.7     5.7                                            Wabash     8.0          8.0     6.3                                            Welcome    7.3          7.7     7.3                                            LSD (.05)  1.0          2.0     1.2                                            ______________________________________                                                              Crown                                                                          Rust (a)                                                                   Leaf               Columbia                                                    Rust (a)           Mo. and                                                     Santa Ana Agassiz  Ritzville,                                         Variety  Cal.      BC       Wash.                                      ______________________________________                                                 Ba 73-540                                                                               5.0       9.0      8.0                                                Abbey    3.0       7.0      6.8                                                Able I   2.0       8.3      7.5                                                Amazon   3.0       9.0      6.7                                                America  5.0       8.3      9.0                                                Aquila   3.0       7.0      9.0                                                Aspen    3.7       6.0      8.2                                                Asset    2.7       9.0      8.8                                                A-34     3.7       8.3      7.7                                                Baron    3.3       8.0      7.7                                                Barzan   5.0       8.3      8.7                                                Bristol  5.3       8.3      9.0                                                Challenger                                                                              4.0       6.3      8.0                                                Chateau  4.0       9.0      9.0                                                Cheri    5.3       9.0      8.7                                                Classic  6.3       9.0      8.2                                                Coventry 4.0       8.9      9.0                                                Eclipse  2.0       9.0      7.5                                                Estate   5.0       9.0      8.2                                                Georgetown                                                                              5.3       8.7      7.2                                                Glade    5.0       6.7      8.0                                                Gnome    2.7       7.7      6.5                                                Haga     5.7       8.0      8.7                                                Julia    2.0       9.0      7.0                                                Kelly    5.2       6.3      6.3                                                Kenblue  4.0       6.7      7.0                                                Liberty  5.3       --       7.7                                                Marquis  5.0       6.7      8.5                                                Merion   2.3       5.0      6.2                                                Merit    2.7       7.0      8.0                                                Midnight 4.0       6.3      6.7                                                Monopoly 3.7       9.0      8.2                                                Mystic   3.0       7.0      7.0                                                Nassau   4.3       8.3      8.8                                                Parade   5.3       9.0      7.2                                                Ram I    5.0       8.3      7.7                                                Rugby    5.0       8.7      8.5                                                Sydsport 4.0       8.7      7.8                                                Victa    3.0       7.3      7.7                                                Wabash   4.3       7.3      7.7                                                Welcome  4.7       9.0      7.5                                                LSD (.05)                                                                               1.7       1.4      1.7                                        ______________________________________                                           (a) Rating Scale: 1-9 9 = no disease                                    

                  TABLE 23                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Snow Mold Disease Incidence of                                   Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties                                              Snowmold (a)                                                                   East Lansing                                                    Variety        Michigan                                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540      6.7                                                             Abbey          7.0                                                             Able I         4.7                                                             Amazon         1.7                                                             America        3.7                                                             Aquila         6.0                                                             Aspen          6.7                                                             Asset          4.7                                                             A-34           5.3                                                             Baron          5.0                                                             Barzan         6.7                                                             Bristol        7.3                                                             Challenger     6.3                                                             Chateau        4.3                                                             Cheri          4.3                                                             Classic        5.7                                                             Coventry       4.7                                                             Eclipse        4.7                                                             Estate         5.0                                                             Georgetown     6.7                                                             Glade          5.7                                                             Gnome          4.7                                                             Haga           6.0                                                             Julia          6.0                                                             Kelly          6.0                                                             Kenblue        5.0                                                             Liberty        5.7                                                             Marquis        5.0                                                             Merion         4.0                                                             Merit          7.3                                                             Midnight       3.7                                                             Monopoly       5.0                                                             Mystic         5.3                                                             Nassau         6.7                                                             Parade         6.3                                                             Ram I          5.3                                                             Rugby          6.7                                                             Sydsport       4.3                                                             Victa          4.7                                                             Wabash         3.3                                                             Welcome        4.0                                                             LSD (.05)      2.5                                                             ______________________________________                                           (a) Rating Scale: 1-9 9 = no disease                                    

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of % Browning of Ba 73-540 and Other                                Kentucky Bluegrasses Under Heat and Drought Stress                             at Prince Frederick, Maryland.                                                              % Browning                                                        Variety      Mean (a)                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540    11.3                                                              Adelphi      20.0                                                              Bristol      18.7                                                              Cynthia      36.3                                                              Glade        20.0                                                              Merion       28.0                                                              Merit        28.5                                                              Nugget       32.5                                                              Park         24.5                                                              Pascal       45.0                                                              Vantage      19.2                                                              Victa        18.2                                                              ______________________________________                                           (a) Mean for two ratings taken in August                                

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Drought Tolerance Ba 73-540 and Other                            Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Various Locations in                           the U.S.A. and Canada                                                          Variety      Drought Tolerance (a)                                             ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540    7.7                                                               Abbey        7.7                                                               Able I       7.7                                                               Amazon       7.0                                                               America      8.0                                                               Aquila       7.3                                                               A-34         6.0                                                               Aspen        7.3                                                               Asset        7.0                                                               Baron        7.0                                                               Barzan       6.0                                                               Bristol      6.7                                                               Challenger   8.3                                                               Chateau      7.0                                                               Cheri        7.3                                                               Classic      7.3                                                               Coventry     7.3                                                               Eclipse      7.3                                                               Estate       7.0                                                               Georgetown   6.7                                                               Glade        6.7                                                               Gnome        8.0                                                               Haga         6.7                                                               Julia        7.3                                                               Kelly        7.7                                                               Kenblue      6.3                                                               Liberty      7.7                                                               Marquis      7.7                                                               Merion       7.3                                                               Merit        8.0                                                               Midnight     6.0                                                               Monopoly     6.7                                                               Mystic       7.7                                                               Nassau       8.0                                                               Parade       5.7                                                               Ram I        8.7                                                               Rugby        7.0                                                               Sydsport     7.0                                                               Victa        7.7                                                               Wabash       6.7                                                               Welcome      7.3                                                               LSD 0.05     1.7                                                               ______________________________________                                           (a) Rating Scale 1-9: 9 = no dormacy                                    

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Sod Strength Eight Months After                                  Planting of Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrasses                           at Remington, Va.                                                                           SOD STRENGTH (a)                                                  Variety      8 Months                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540    20.3                                                              Abbey        17.0                                                              Able I       16.3                                                              Amazon       18.0                                                              America      30.7                                                              Aquila       19.3                                                              A-34         21.7                                                              Aspen        21.7                                                              Asset        23.7                                                              Baron        25.7                                                              Barzan       13.0                                                              Bristol      24.7                                                              Challenger   23.0                                                              Chateau      23.3                                                              Cheri        28.3                                                              Classic      23.0                                                              Coventry     18.0                                                              Eclipse      22.0                                                              Estate       23.3                                                              Georgetown   30.0                                                              Glade        26.3                                                              Gnome        22.0                                                              Haga         22.3                                                              Julia        12.3                                                              Kenblue      22.0                                                              Liberty      20.3                                                              Marquis      23.0                                                              Merion       21.3                                                              Merit        25.3                                                              Midnight     22.3                                                              Monopoly     26.0                                                              Mystic       21.3                                                              Nassau       22.3                                                              Parade       26.0                                                              Ram I        22.3                                                              Rugby        20.3                                                              Sydsport     26.0                                                              Victa        29.3                                                              Wabash       16.7                                                              Welcome      24.7                                                              LSD (.05)    6.9                                                               ______________________________________                                           (a) Rating Scale: Kilograms of tension needed to tear sod.              

                  TABLE 27                                                         ______________________________________                                         Seed yield Comparisons in Pounds Per Acre of                                   Ba 73-540 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in                            Oregon Over a Three Year Period                                                        Lbs/Acre                                                                       Gervais     LaGrande                                                   Variety   Year 1        Year 2  Year 3                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 73-540 859           1224    993                                            Bristol   862           1021    690                                            Victa     1342          1425    1224                                           LSD (.05)                220    160                                            ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A variety of Kentucky bluegrass plant, substantially as shown and described, characterized by a medium to high level of resistance to several serious diseases, including leaf spot disease (also known as melting out disease), various rusts, dollarspot, snowmold and powdery mildew; a desirable green color throughout the growing season; a strong sod forming ability; high quality dense persistent turf formation under a wide variety of environmental conditions; and a medium level of seed yielding capacity. 